OpenAI Initiative is Just the Shot in the Arm AI Research Desperately Needs

OpenAI Initiative is Just the Shot in the Arm AI Research Desperately Needs

For a billionaire looking to leave a lasting impact on the future of humanity, Elon Musk probably couldn’t have chosen a better field than AI research. There is something inherently seductive about the whole premise of designing an Artificial Intelligence. Development of strong AIs would probably revolutionize our society, culture, economy and our very understanding what being human entails. Besides, it wouldn’t exactly hurt Musk if it gets him access to cutting edge technologies that could have far reaching implications on his other pet projects like SpaceX, Solar City and Tesla. Historically, AI research has had a checkered past forever tied to market interests and commercial applicability. Ever since the first conference of AI researchers in the summer of 1956, funding into the field has followed a consistent “boom bust”…